Find out how popular the last name Briton is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Briton.

Briton, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Briton surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Briton in America

Briton is the 134712th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Briton surname appeared 125 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Briton.

We can also compare 2010 data for Briton to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Briton

The surname BRITON is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "Bretun," which meant "Briton" or "Brit," referring to the ancient inhabitants of Britain. This surname is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, specifically in the 11th and 12th centuries.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname BRITON can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive record of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in various forms, such as Bretun, Breton, and Briton, suggesting its evolution over time.

The surname BRITON was likely initially used as a descriptive name, referring to individuals who were of British descent or had connections to the British Isles. It may have been applied to those who had migrated from Britain to other regions or distinguished individuals from Britain residing in different parts of England or Continental Europe.

One notable historical figure bearing the surname BRITON was Sir John Briton (c. 1265 - c. 1330), an English knight who fought in the Wars of Scottish Independence under Edward I and Edward II. He is mentioned in several historical records for his military service and valor on the battlefield.

Another prominent individual with this surname was Richard Briton (c. 1400 - c. 1470), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Bristol, England, who played a significant role in the city's trade and politics during the 15th century.

In the 16th century, William Briton (c. 1540 - c. 1610) was a renowned English playwright and poet, known for his contributions to the Elizabethan era's literary scene. His works, though not widely preserved, were celebrated during his lifetime.

Moving forward in time, Thomas Briton (1675 - 1748) was a notable English architect and builder who designed and constructed several churches and public buildings in London and the surrounding areas, leaving a lasting impact on the city's architectural landscape.

Additionally, the surname BRITON is associated with the place name Briton Ferry, a town in Neath Port Talbot, Wales, which was named after a ferry crossing over the River Neath. This connection further reinforces the surname's ties to Britain and its geographical origins.

The surname BRITON has a rich history rooted in the ancient inhabitants of Britain and has been carried by individuals across various fields, including military, commerce, literature, and architecture. While its usage may have evolved over time, the name remains a testament to the enduring legacy of Britain's cultural and historical significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Briton

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Briton.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Briton was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Briton has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Briton was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Briton, please contact us.

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